School Study Tours Do you want to deepen the international focus of your school but are unsure what that looks like in practice? Join us for facilitated school tours and participate in an interactive two-day seminar that combines the theory of internationalizing schools with real-world examples. The schools--in urban, suburban, and rural settings--have proven track record of offering high-quality international education. These schools include winners of the Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize for Excellence in International Studies (learn more), and Asia Society's International Studies Schools Network (learn more).
The two-day session will allow you to
learn about international education and globalizing the curriculum
participate in classroom observations
meet with school leadership teams
talk with students and parents from the school
participate in a summative debriefing of the experience
engage in next-steps planning to help deepen global learning at your own school
Fees
PGL Member Price: $165 per participant for a two day study tour;
Non-Member Price: $199 per participant for two-day study tour. (Bundle and save: buy a membership and attend an event for $250.) Select a school visit and sign-up below.
Schedule
December 10 - 12
International School of the Americas (San Antonio, TX) Founded in 1994, the International School of the Americas is a Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize-winning school. It is a small, school-within-a-school housed on a comprehensive high school campus. Its global focus is woven throughout the curriculum. Its strong academic team and Model United Nations program, complimented with creative travel opportunities, provide rich international experiences for all students. Internships and Graduation Portfolios are also key elements of the school. The visit will overlap with ISA's Model United Nations simulation and participants will be able to see Model UN in action with over 900 high school students from across the country and Mexico.
February 19-20
Washington International (Washington, DC) Washington International is an urban private school serving approximately 850 students in grades pre K-12. The English curriculum draws upon literature from throughout the world to examine the global human experience, while the Humanities curriculum, comprised of distinct history and geography classes, examines the global connectedness through themes such as religion, warfare, art, economic development, empire building, and global communication. All students are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program, or Diploma Program, through which service learning, collaborative projects, and other activities enhance the core curriculum and enable students to make real world connections within an international context.
April 30 - May 1, 2009
Walter Payton High School (Chicago, IL)
Walter Payton High School
is a Goldman Sachs Foundation Prize-winning school that offers a cutting-edge science and math curriculum, which is infused with rich international learning experiences for students. Top world language instruction, sophisticated use of technology to connect students with resources around the world, and multiple exchange opportunities distinguish this award-winning school.
Audio preview: Walter Payton Preparatory High School's Ellen Estrada, Principal, and Ken Mularski, Curriculum Resource Coordinator, describe their "problem-based" curriculum, how international studies is infused throughout the school day, and what real-world experiences students can take part in.
National Chinese Language Conference | April 30 - May 2, 2009, Chicago Learn more
Putting the World Into World Class Education: A Forum for Policymakers and Practitioners | July 9 - 11, 2009, Arlington, VA See the 2008 program
Customized On-Site Professional Learning Is your school or district looking for on-site professional development and support regarding internationalizing curriculum or infusing a global focus into the school culture? If so, we can work with you to customize a program that meet your needs in your setting. Examples of professional learning opportunities we have offered in the past include facilitation of community meetings on the need for global skills for the 21 st century, seminars on internationalizing curriculum for district or school-based teams, and professional learning workshops on creating a globally-oriented school.
Please call Shari Albright at (212) 327-9216 to find out more information and to schedule professional learning opportunities on-site.
Building High-Quality Chinese Language Programs
The rise of Asia is reshaping politics, economics, and culture in the 21st century and China is fundamental in this shift. Given these realities, our students need to become globally competent with cross-cultural communication skills and an understanding of other cultures. The study of Chinese is timely and beneficial in achieving these stated goals. Join this two-day seminar to develop a case for the reasons why your school or district needs to establish a Chinese language program, visit an exemplary Chinese language program at the elementary and secondary level, and participate in a step by step process to create a standards- and performance-based Chinese language program that is articulated from grade to grade and will enable students to attain high language proficiency and deep cultural understanding. For best results, schools and / or districts are encouraged to bring a team to develop a strategic and comprehensive plan that is ready for local discussion and adoption.
Schedule to be announced.
Early Language Learning Symposium
Initiating the study of a second language in the early years of school has consistently proven to be one of the most effective pathways to fostering high levels of language proficiency and global competence. Yet, there are many program models and critical elements to consider for early language learning. Join this 2-day symposium to see a quality early language program in action, and learn about the processes of first and second language development and why the learning of a second language aids the development of literacy in the first language. Opportunities for in-depth learning in immersion or other world language models will be offered as participants develop their own strategic plans for early language learning during the symposium.
Schedule to be announced.
Global Learning in the Afterschool Hours Learn about innovative models for after school programming that provides enrichment learning experiences with a global focus. Utilizing the work of the soon-to-be released handbook on after school education, this seminar will share tools and ideas to seamlessly integrate a global focus in the school and after-school time.
Schedule to be announced.
Webinars Tune in each month to a different topic related to bringing the world into schools and improving international education practice. Sample topics include international benchmarking, global environmental challenges, internationalizing STEM, arts for cross-cultural understanding, and using youth media to connect students around the globe. PGL members will receive an e-mail invitation to take part in the webinar, which includes video interviews and demonstrations and online forum board discussions with experts.
